Then the tottering John came forward.

'An I'm glad yer come, Isaac, that I am--thankful! Now yer can tell me
what yer wife's done with my money. D'yer mind that box? It wor you an I
carried it across that night as Watson come out on us. An yo'll bear me
witness as we locked it up, an yo saw me tie the two keys roun my neck--
yo _did_, Isaac. An now, Isaac'--the hoarse voice began to tremble--'now
there's two--suverins--left, and one 'arf-crown--out o' seventy-one
pound fower an sixpence--seventy-one pound, Isaac! Yo'll get it out on
'er, Isaac, yer will, won't yer?'

He looked up, imploring.

Isaac, after the first violent start, stood absolutely motionless,
Saunders observing him. As one of the main props of Church Establishment
in the village, Saunders had no great opinion of Isaac Costrell, who
stood for the dissidence of dissent. The two men had never been friends,
and Saunders in this affair had perhaps exercised the quasi-judicial
functions the village had long by common consent allowed him, with more
readiness than usual.

As soon as John ceased speaking, Isaac walked up to Saunders.

'Let me see that box,' he said peremptorily, 'put it down.'

Saunders, who had rested the box on the back of a chair, placed it
gently on the table, assisted by Isaac. A few feet away stood Bessie,
saying nothing, her hand holding the duster on her hip, her eyes
following her husband.